Orlando City vs Atlanta United Exploria Stadium, Orlando Friday, July 30, 8:00 PM ESPN MLSsoccer.com preview here. AJC.com preview here. ATLUTD.com preview here. Orlando preview here. Player Availability Atlanta OUT: Emerson Hyndman (torn ACL) OUT: Franco Ibarra (lower body) OUT: Mo Adams (left quad) OUT: George Bello (international duty) OUT: Brad Guzan (international duty) OUT: Miles Robinson (international duty) QUESTIONABLE: Jake Mulraney (lower body) Orlando OUT: Daryl Dike (international duty) OUT: Tesho Akindele (international duty) OUT: Sebastian Mendez (lower body) QUESTIONABLE: Junior Urso (lower body) QUESTIONABLE: Alexandre Pato (lower body) QUESTIONABLE: Pedro Gallese (lower body)
Orlando City entered the season a contender for the East. At times they looked the part, like holding on for a 2-1 win over Philly last week. But they've also lost 3 of their last 5 and the inconsistency from their attacking players has rendered the team decidedly flawed compared to other eastern contenders. They surrender the most goals among any of the playoff sides, and their shot output has dropped with various injuries and international absences. They're still a side capable of quick counters and dangerous set pieces, but their ability to control matches has waned. If the players listed as questionable miss the match, then their bench is as questionable as Atlanta's. For the Five Stripes the biggest issue tomorrow night will be either their own frustration (if they continue to struggle in front of the net) or the heat. If they can overcome those forces to remain focused and continue to ride their new coach enthusiasm they should take hope in an ability to at least create chances. Kyle Smith, Rodrigo Schlegel, and the other defenders aren't exactly lockdown players, and as recent losses like CFG:NY have revealed Orlando is susceptible to good interior passing. The question will be how well Atlanta can execute. A road draw would be a decent outcome if Atlanta doesn't create anything new in their offensive potency. The good news is the Stripes are seemingly enthusiastic about their interim coach and new style of play. Tomorrow offers them another chance to show their progress.
Josef starts and is the captain today. Rossetto also gets the nod over Sejdic. Chol starts on the bench today.
29' and Franco down for the moment after Michel falls on his foot from behind. Atlanta has made a few advances forward but Orlando the most possession in the last 15'. Need to hold the lead into the half if they can.
40' and again Michel is able to split the defenders only to knock his shot right at Kann. Atlanta can't afford to rely on fate like that.
43' sees Orlando AGAIN use a wall pass to beat Ambrose, resulting in a save by Kann but a Lion's corner. Off the corner Lennon is slow to react to his mark's run, and the header bets Kann.
I knew the heat would be a factor, and I'm guessed ng that's at least part of the reason Atlanta faded hard those last twenty mins. Ambrose may be a nice guy, but he's woefully slow for this match and he's not pairing well with Moreno and Lopez on the left hand side.